Welcome. This is a weekly feature of North Carolina Blue. The platform gives readers interested in North Carolina politics a place to share their knowledge, insight and inspiration as we take back our state from some of the most extreme Republicans in the nation. Please stop by each week. You can also join the discussion in four other weekly State Open Threads. If you are interested in starting your own state blog, weekly to occasionally, I will list your work below.
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On Thursday morning, the UNC Board of Governors voted to repeal Section 300.8.5 of the UNC Policy Manual, which required diversity and inclusion services and officers for all 17 UNC System institutions.
The section of the policy manual, adopted in 2019, required a designated UNC System Office diversity and inclusion liaison and a D&I officer to be appointed at each UNC System institution as well as being a part of a UNC System D&I council.
At UNC-Chapel Hill, D&I initiatives include programs like Carolina Covenant — a need-based financial aid package and support network — and identity-based groups for students in STEM and business fields.
The motion to repeal passed by a majority vote with only two members, Joel Ford and Sonja Phillips Nichols, voting against removing the policy. There were 22 of the 24 BOG members present.
Democracy defenders on Tuesday hailed a ruling from a U.S. federal judge striking down a 19th-century North Carolina law criminalizing people who vote while on parole, probation, or post-release supervision due to a felony conviction.
In Monday's decision, U.S. District Judge Loretta C. Biggs—an appointee of former Democratic President Barack Obama—sided with the North Carolina A. Philip Randolph Institute and Action NC, who argued that the 1877 law discriminated against Black people.
"The challenged statute was enacted with discriminatory intent, has not been cleansed of its discriminatory taint, and continues to disproportionately impact Black voters," Biggs wrote in her 25-page ruling.
Therefore, according to the judge, the 1877 law violates the U.S. Constitution's equal protection clause.
Areas of Lyon Park, Walltown, Northgate, East End and East Durham closed
State environmental officials will conduct further tests in and near five Durham parks to determine the extent of widespread lead contamination that has disrupted summer camps, closed playgrounds and concerned residents whose children have frequented those areas.
These areas could include private property adjacent to the parks, with the owners’ permission. At East Durham Park, 2500 E. Main St., areas with lead at 10 times EPA action levels abut an apartment complex. Likewise, at Lyon Park on Lakewood Avenue, two homes sit just feet from contaminated areas.
For the past year, community members and ToxicFree NC, a nonprofit environmental group, have urged Durham officials to be more transparent about the findings — and to protect the public from the contamination — efforts that culminated at a public meeting Wednesday evening.
“We know how serious it is,” said Durham Mayor Leonardo Williams, at the meeting. “None of was born when this happened but we’re responsible for cleaning it up. Over time we’ve learned a lot. We are in a crisis. We will address the contamination.”
As I think through the meaning of Memorial Day, to honor all those who lost their lives in defense of America, I wonder what would these two men who live inside me feel about our democracy today?
On Friday, I am joining a coalition of veterans, including Common Defense and past leaders of the North Carolina National Guard, concerned about this issue. We are gathering at Greensboro’s Guilford Courthouse National Military Park.
Across the city, the state Republican Party is holding its annual gathering, which will include members of the Republican National Committee, like new co-chair former president Donald Trump’s daughter-in-law Lara Trump. In attendance at the GOP event are multiple individuals, who echo Trump’s doubts about the legitimacy of U.S. elections and his refusal to commit to accepting this year’s results.
The former president, who has displayed an unprecedented disrespect for military service over the years, has also repeatedly threatened violence if the election does not go his way.
Thank you for reading today, I hope all have a Memorial Day that honors the fallen and celebrates the living. Best wishes.